’Steps’ Review: Sisterhood of the Glass Slipper

The story of Cinderella has been told countless times, but Netflix is ready to give the classic fairy tale a new pair of glass slippers. Steps reimagines the familiar story by shifting the spotlight toward Cinderella’s misunderstood stepsisters and their sisterhood. The film features an impressive voice cast, including Ali Wong as Lilith, Stephanie Hsu as Margot, and Amanda Seyfried as Cinderella. Nikki Glaser also brings plenty of personality to Priscilla, while Bette Midler stands out as the Fairy Godmother.

Reimagining a story as recognizable as Cinderella is no easy task, especially when audiences already know its characters and their roles. However, Steps finds a refreshing way to approach the fairy tale by asking viewers to reconsider everything they thought they knew. Instead of following Cinderella’s journey toward her happily ever after, the film explores the story through the eyes of the sisters history has labelled as villains. This change in perspective gives the movie a fresh identity while opening the door to a much bigger conversation about family, acceptance, and belonging.

‘Steps’ Is a Humorous Retelling of a Classic Story

One of the film’s biggest strengths is how it challenges the traditional portrayal of Cinderella and her stepsisters. Rather than presenting Cinderella as entirely innocent, Steps explores how her relationship with Lilith and Margot became fractured. Cinderella has always had access to magic, and her actions contribute to the hurt and resentment between the sisters. Meanwhile, Lilith and Margot aren’t simply the evil stepsisters audiences have grown accustomed to seeing. The film uses humor to turn familiar fairy tale moments, outdated references, and traditional character expectations into something entirely different.

Beyond its comedy, Steps places Asian representation at the forefront of its story. Lilith and Margot’s identities, along with their mother’s influence, help shape a narrative about family and finding a place where you belong. The film explores what it means to grow up in a land where you don’t necessarily feel represented or accepted. Rather than treating cultural identity as a background detail, it becomes part of the characters’ experiences and relationships. This adds another layer of meaning, making its message about belonging resonate beyond the boundaries of a traditional fairy tale.

A Smile, a Song, and a Glass Slipper

The world of Steps introduces audiences to Allouette, a colorful fairy tale setting filled with magical creatures, memorable locations, and plenty of personality. The animation brings this world to life with expressive character designs, vibrant environments, and imaginative visual details. The addition of trolls also gives the film another opportunity to play with traditional fantasy storytelling. From its magical settings to the creatures inhabiting them, Allouette provides a wonderful backdrop for this reimagined Cinderella adventure. The world-building helps establish an identity that feels distinct from the fairy tales that inspired it.

Music also plays an important role in bringing the story together, especially in how kindness becomes part of Cinderella’s identity. Her compassion becomes a song that captures the character’s familiar qualities while adding a comedic twist. The musical moments fit naturally into the film, balancing its humor with the more heartfelt elements of the story. One particularly charming detail is the callback to Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs through the classic song “With a Smile and a Song.” It’s a playful nod to another beloved animated fairy tale while reinforcing the timeless connection between music, kindness, and storytelling.

Step Family is Still Family in ‘Steps’

At the heart of Steps is the relationship between Lilith, Margot, and Cinderella. The sisterhood of the glass slipper must confront the hurt they’ve caused one another and find a way to move forward as a family. Their journey isn’t simply about saving a kingdom or fixing a broken fairy tale; it’s about rebuilding the relationships that matter most. This dynamic gives the film an emotional foundation that many viewers can recognize in their own families. After all, disagreements, misunderstandings, and hurt feelings don’t disappear simply because people share a family name.

As the sisters begin to understand one another, they must take both literal and figurative steps toward repairing their relationship. Their journey highlights how difficult it can be to put pride aside, acknowledge past mistakes, and make room for forgiveness. Family isn’t always defined by having the same bloodline or sharing the same background. Whether people become family through birth, marriage, or adoption, the bonds they build deserve care and understanding. Steps delivers a heartfelt reminder that even when family members stumble, there’s always room to find their way back to one another.

‘Steps’ Provides a Brand-New Version of Happily Ever After

One of the most meaningful ideas behind Steps is that happily ever after doesn’t look the same for everyone. For some, it means finding love and getting married, while others find fulfillment through personal success or discovering where they belong. The film challenges the idea that every fairy tale ending needs to follow the same formula. Instead, it allows its characters to explore what happiness means on their own terms. That message gives this retelling a refreshing perspective on the traditional storybook ending.

Steps delivers an entertaining, heartfelt reimagining of Cinderella that gives its misunderstood stepsisters the opportunity to tell their side of the story. Its humor, vibrant animation, musical moments, and talented voice cast create an enjoyable adventure with a meaningful message at its center. More importantly, the film’s exploration of sisterhood, cultural identity, and belonging gives audiences something to take away long after the fairy tale ends. Sometimes the people we label as villains simply need someone willing to hear their story.

Steps arrives on Netflix November 20, 2026, and it’s a fairy tale worth taking a few steps toward. For more gaming, movie, and TV coverage, subscribe to the Agents of Fandom YouTube channel! Make sure to follow the Agents of Fandom socials for the latest entertainment news and reviews.